RECEIVER: Episode 1: “Great Expectations Part 1”

RECEIVER is a 2024 sports documentary series created by Netflix in association with the National Football League. The series follows the personal lives of the five top “receiver” players during the 2023-2024 football season. “Receivers” are teammates responsible for catching throws from their quarterbacks. In Episode 1, the top players within the San Francisco 49ers discuss their perseverance against the formidable Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, the receiver of the Detroit Sea Lions sustains major injuries. Both teams must earn their way through the ranks.

In “Great Expectations: Part 1,” the series charts the trajectory of the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions. On the 49ers side, receivers George Kittle and Deebo Samuel discuss their upbringing and motivation for joining the team. Kittle brings the team a “positive dude-bro” mentality, while Samuel is the reserved “heavyweight.” Later, Kittle and Samuel recount how the 49ers broke their “cursed” losing streak and overcame the Dallas Cowboys.

Meanwhile, Amon-Ra St. Brown recounts his experience as a receiver for the Detroit Lions. The Lions were considered a laughingstock within the league, but they eventually defeated the Kansas City Chiefs thanks to St. Brown’s determination and sharp eye. However, during the game, St. Brown was tackled to the ground in horrific fashion. His toes and abdomen bones were bent out of shape, almost putting him out of the season. The Lions must survive this setback.

Like other Netflix documentaries, RECEIVER intercuts between the “game” and our protagonists’ “personal” sides. The “receiver” players discuss their upbringing, motivation for football, and relationships with their wives. The NFL men have stable marriages but face turmoil from the untold pressures of their profession.

On a technical front, RECEIVER has excellent production value. The editing, motion graphics, and splicing of interview clips are out of this world. As a documentary series, the narrative flows well, especially with the parallel stories of the 49ers and the Lions. Considering the spontaneity and craziness of typical American football, it’s a miracle this series ended up as cohesive as it did.

In terms of worldview, RECEIVER features a surprisingly Christian worldview. The three primary players (Kittle, Samuel, and St. Brown) value teamwork, perseverance and being the best players in the league. They openly admit to having stable marriages, being responsible fathers, and thanking their mentors for their encouragement. They don’t reveal their religion, but their families openly pray to God on camera. However, this program isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

RECEIVER is rated TV-MA for uncensored profanities and rude behavior. The players throw out the “F” word twenty times in this episode. The show doesn’t censor or blur out any of these profanities. In one scene, George Kittle wears a “f–k the Dallas Cowboys” shirt inside the stadium. He gets a $15,000 penalty but admits he would wear that shirt again during an interview. One female fan pours her beer can on Samuel’s jersey. Moreover, St. Brown does a “pelvic thrust” victory dance in the stadium. He admits to getting the idea from a Key and Peele sketch.

The last downside to RECEIVER is its real-life sports violence. The various NFL players are tackled, pushed and bruised in gruesome fashion. There is no blood or gore, but these scenes are more “visceral” than those shown during the live broadcasts. Moreover, St. Brown injures his toes and lower abdomen. He recovers from the injuries and resumes playing on his team.

The first episode of RECEIVER, “Great Expectations: Part 1,” is a paradox of values. The series emphasizes strong father figures, three healthy marriages and one wife openly praying for her husband to win the game. However, the documentary drops uncensored F-bombs, a player wearing an “f–k Dallas Cowboys” shirt, and extreme physical tackles amongst the NFL players. As such, MOVIEGUIDE® recommends extreme caution for mature audiences.